Daniels drives Commanders to late win over Giants
A 32-yard touchdown pass with under a minute left secured a 24-21 victory, lifting Washington's playoff hopes from 1 percent to 10 percent.
By Tomas Gonzalez ·
Jayden Daniels delivered a 32-yard touchdown pass to Stefon Diggs with 57 seconds remaining on the clock. The strike ended a three-play, 71-yard drive that secured a 24-21 victory for the Washington Commanders over the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
The win stopped the bleeding for a team that had lost four of its last five games. Before the final play, the Commanders trailed by four points with two minutes left. A loss would have reduced their postseason odds to 1 percent. With the victory, those odds rose to 10 percent.
Coach Dan Quinn did not characterize the game as a must-win in his postgame remarks. He left the definition to his quarterback. Daniels confirmed the stakes immediately after the final whistle. He stated that next week is a must-win.
The team arrived in New Jersey with a 3-5-1 record. They led into the fourth quarter but failed to convert on four consecutive possessions in the second half. The offense went three-and-out, suffered a turnover on downs, and saw Daniels throw his first two interceptions of the season.
The defense attempted to hold the lead but allowed Isaiah Likely to return a kick for a 66-yard touchdown. Likely, a former Baltimore Ravens tight end, provided the Giants with a late surge that nearly ended Washington's campaign.
Ben Sinnott emerged as a key receiver during the contest. The third-string tight end recorded five catches, quintupling his previous total of one. He gained 42 yards on those receptions. Sinnott stepped into a larger role after starting tight end Chig Okonkwo left the game in the second quarter with a back injury.
Sinnott gained 12 yards on one play by hurdling safety Jason Pinnock. He finished with a 1-yard score. Even after Okonkwo returned to the field, Daniels continued to target Sinnott. The quarterback completed four of six deep passes, and Sinnott caught the second longest completion of the night.
The Commanders' run defense struggled against the Giants' dual-threat attack. Running back Cam Skattebo rushed for 78 yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback J.J. McCarthy added 34 yards on six carries, averaging 5.7 yards per attempt. The Giants sustained a 16-play, 7:48 drive in the second quarter that resulted in a touchdown.
New York relied on methodical play rather than explosive plays. McCarthy completed 23 of 36 passes for 293 yards. He targeted Likely nine times for 127 yards and Malik Nabors five times for 44 yards. The Giants accumulated 20 first downs, mirroring the 22 first downs Los Angeles achieved in Washington's previous loss.
Defensive coordinator Daronte Jones utilized a zone scheme that left gaps in the middle of the field. The Giants exploited these openings to maintain drives. The Commanders now return home to face their next opponent in a week that Daniels says is essential for keeping their season alive.
